Multiple movement lounger chair



June 2, 4 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,135,547

MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER CHAIR Filed March 20, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7- 4 4 INVENTOR.

FRIDTJOF E -SC'HL/fP/1ACKE June 2, 1964 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,135,547

MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER CHAIR Filed March 20, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

/32 //d 4 0 Am FIG. 5. m2

INVENTOR. FR/o z/aF F. JCHZ/EPHAC 5 BY AMI wig June 2, 5 F; F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,135,547

MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER CHAIR Filed March 20, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 7.

arrak ys United States Patent 3,135,547 MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER CHAIR Fridtjof F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz Filed Mar. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 180,980 16 Clams. (Cl. 297-83) The present invention relates generally to reclining chairs, and in particular to a multiple movement reclining chair of the lounger type which has two movement phases and provides an upright sitting position, an intermediate, tilted sitting position, and a fully reclined position.

A typical reclining chair of the multiple movement type comprises a support, a seat and back-rest adapted to be mounted on the support for inclining and reclining movement respectively through a first movement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position, and a leg-rest which moves into an elevated leg-supporting position during the first movement phase to support the legs of the chair occupant in the intermediate, tilted sitting position. The leg-rest remains substantially in the elevated leg-supporting position throughout the second movement phase as the seat and backrest move in to the fully reclined position. The intermediate, tilted sitting position accommodates the chair occupant in attitude appropriate for television viewing, reading, sewing, conversation and the like, while the fully reclined position accommodates the chair occupant in a position suitable for complete and total relaxation.

Briefly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple position reclining chair of the lounger type. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a guiding arrangement for coordinating the back-rest, seat and leg-rest of a multiple movement reclining chair to establish the several chair positions and movement phases.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a reclining chair which comprises a support, and a seat and back-rest mounted on the support for in clining and reclining movement respectively through a first movement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position. The seat and back-rest are mounted and coordinated by a carrier member which is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end on the support at the carrier pivot for turning movement through a downward arc during the first movement phase of the chair. Control means are pivotally connected between the support and the carrier member and are operative to maintain the carrier member in a starting position corresponding to the sitting position. A guiding linkage is operatively connected between the seat, the back-rest and the carrier member and is operative during the first move ment phase to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the seat and the back-rest as the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position and is operative during the second movement phase to open up the angle between the seat and back-rest as the chair moves into the fully reclined position. This guiding link- 3,135,547 Patented June 2, 1964 age includes a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to the seat at a front pivotal connection, and means pivotally mounting the back-rest on the carrier member at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connecting the back-rest to the seat at a rear pivotal connection and providing a rear guiding link. The portion of the seat intermediate the front and rear pivotal connections provide a connecting link. The front and rear guiding links and the connecting link are positioned in relation to each other and to the carrier member to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as the carrier member turns during the first movement phase. The control means for the carrier member is responsive to downward pressure exerted on the carrier member and permits the carrier member to turn through the downward arc during the first movement phase in order to establish the intermediate, tilted sitting position. Means are provided for blocking turning movement of the carrier member when the seat and back-rest are in the intermediate, tilted sitting position. Thereafter, the front and rear guiding links and the connecting link are movable relative to each other during the second movement phase to serve as three movable links of a four-bar linkage which is effective to open up the angle between the seat and back-rest, with the stationary carrier member serving as a stationary link of the four-bar linkage, to establish the fully reclined position for the chair.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of several presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, of a reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, shown in the upright sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in an intermediate, tilted sitting position at the end of the first movement phase;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the chair in the fully reclined position after movement through the second movement phase;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, of a reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, shown in the upright sitting position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational View similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair in an intermediate, tilted sitting position at the end of the first movement phase;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the chair in the fully reclined position after movement through the second movement phase;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, of a reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, shown in the upright sitting position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the chair in an intermediate, tilted sitting position at the end of the first movement phase; and,

FIG. 9 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but

3 showing the chair in the fully reclined position after movement through the second movement phase.

Now referring specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 inclusive a first embodiment of a reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type which demonstrates features of the present invention and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The chair 1! includes a support or frame 12 having opposite side walls or frame 14, 16 interconnected by suitable cross braces 13 and supported on the dependent legs. In the several illustrative embodiments, the chair has been illustrated as being of the open frame, high leg style which is characteristic of Danish modern. However, it will be appreciated that the invention finds application in other styles of reclining chairs, including those which are closed at opposite sides thereof and have a substantially vertical leg-rest at the forward end thereof.

A body-supporting means generally designated by the reference numeral 20 and including a seat 22 and a backrest 24-, is mounted on the support or frame 12 for movement from the upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 1 through a first movement to the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 2, and then through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 2 into a fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 3.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 22 is a folded under two part leg-rest 26 which includes parts or sections 28, 30. The leg-rest part of section 23 extends substantially vertically beneath the forward end of the seat 22 in the upright sitting position of the chair and serves as a filler board in such upright sitting position, while the leg-rest part or section 30 is folded beneath the seat 22 into a substantially horizontal stored position within the outline of the seat section of the chair frame. As the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 2, the leg-rest parts 28, 30 come into alignment with each other and together provide the support for maintaining the chair occupants legs in an extended and elevated attitude in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 and throughout the second movement phase. The two part leg-rest 26 is mounted on the seat 22 of the body-supporting means 20 by a leg-rest mounting linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 32. Since the leg-rest 26 and its mounting linkage 32 are subject to a latitude of modification change and substitution and form no part of the present invention, further description is dispensed with. For a detailed description of the leg-rest and its mounting linkage, reference may be made to US. Patent No. 2,966,939 of January 3, 1961 which is assigned to the assignee of the present application.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a carrier member 34 which extends fore and aft of the chair frame of support 12 and is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end on the support 12 at a carrier pivot 36 for turning movement through a downward arc during the first movement phase. A control means or linkage is pivotally connected between the support 12 and the carrier member 34 and is operative to normally maintain the carrier member 3 in a starting position as may be seen in FIG. 1. In accordance with this illustrative embodiment, the control linkage is in the form of a four-bar linkage including a front control link 38 which has a pivotal mount 49 adjacent its lower end on the support 12, a rear control. link 42 which has a pivotal mount 44 adjacent its lower end on the support 12, and an intermediate control link 46 which has a pivotal connection 48 at its forward end to the front control link 38 at a point spaced from the pivot mount 4t) and a pivotal connection 56 at its rearward end to the rear control link 42 at a point spaced from its pivotal mount 44. The front control link 38 is provided with an integral extension 38a extending above the pivotal connection 48, which integral extension has a pivotal connection 52 at its upper end to the rearward end of a leg-rest actuating link 54 which in turn has a pivotal connection 56 at its forward end to the leg-rest mounting linkage 32, as more fully described and illustrated in the mentioned patent. In response to counterclockwise turning movement of the front control link 38 about the pivotal mount 49, as will be described, a forwardward thrust is imparted to the leg-rest actuating link 54 which extends and elevates the two-part leg-rest 26. The rear control link 42 is operatively connected to the carrier member 34 by a connecting link 58 which has a pivotal connection 60 to the rear connecting link 42 intermediate the ends thereof and a pivotal connection 62 to the carrier member 34 at a point spaced rearwardly of the carrier pivot 36.

Operatively connected between the seat 22, the backrest 24 and the carrier member 34 is a guiding linkage which is operative during the first movement phase to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the seat 22 and the back-rest 24, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2, and which is further operative during the second movement phase to open up the angle between the seat 22 and the back-rest 24, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3. The guiding linkage includes a front guiding link 64 which is disposed substantailly in the same attitude as the carrier member 34 and is coextensive therewith. The front guiding link 64 rests against an underlying stop or pin 66 on the carrier member 34. In this illustrative embodiment, the front guiding link 64 is pivotally mounted on the carrier member 34 at a front pivotal mount 68 which is spaced rearwardly of the carrier pivot 36 and is pivotally connected to the seat 22 at a front pivotal connection 70. The back-rest 24 is provided with a rigid mounting bracket or link '72 which is secured thereto in any appropriate fashion, as by riveting. The mounting bracket or link 72 pivotally mounts the back-rest 2d at the rearward end of the carrier member 34 at a rear pivotal mount 74 and pivotally connects the backrest 24 to the seat 22 at a rear pivotal connection 76. The portion of the back-rest 24 and its mounting link 72 intermediate the pivotal mount 74 and the rear pivotal connection 76 effectively provide a rear guiding link, while the portion of the seat 22 intermediate the front pivotal connection and the rear pivotal connection 76 effectively provides a connecting link between the front guiding link 64 and the rear guiding link 72 intermediate the pivots 74, 76. The front and rear guiding links and the connecting link of this four-bar guiding linkage are positioned in relation to each other and to the carrier member 34 to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as the carrier member 34 turns through the downward are about the carrier pivot 36 during the first movement phase. For all intents and purposes, and bearing in mind that the kinematics of the chair must be considered as if an occupant were seated therein, the guiding linkage has but one degree of freedom since the front guiding link 64 will have no tendency to move from its stationary position resting against the stop 66 for so long as the carrier member 34 is free to turn about the carrier pivot 36. Thus, during the first movement phase, the seat 22 and the back rest 24 are maintained in a rigid relationship since the effective guiding linkage includes but three links, namely the carrier member 34 intermediate the front pivotal connection 7% and the rear pivotal mount 74, the connecting link defined intermediate the front pivotal connection 70 and the rear pivotal connection 76, and the rear guiding link defined intermediate the rear pivotal connection 76 and the rear pivotal mount 74.

Provision is made for blocking the turning movement of the carrier member 34 about the carrier pivot 36 at the end of the first movement phase and when the seat 22 and the back-rest 24 of the body-supporting means 20 are in the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 2. In this illustrative embodiment, a stop 78 serving as an additional cross brace of the chair frame 12 is positioned beneath the carrier member 34 in position to engage the under surface thereof in the desired intermediate, tilted sitting position of the bodysupporting means 20. Upon blocking of the carrier member against further turning movement in the clockwise direction about the carrier pivot 36 at the end of the first movement phase, it will be appreciated that the front and rear guiding links and the connecting link of the four-bar guiding linkage will move relative to each other during the second movement phase to open up the angle between the seat 22 and the back-rest 24. This may be best appreciated by progressive reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 wherein it is seen that during the second movement phase the guiding linkage is effectively a four-bar linkage with the stationary carrier member 34 serving as a stationary link of the four-bar linkage and with the three movable links being provided respectively by the front guiding link 64, the connecting link defined intermediate the front pivotal connection 79 and the rear pivotal connection 76, and the rear guiding link defined between the rear pivotal connection 76 and the rear pivotal mount 74. The fully reclined position of the chair is established when the back-rest 24 contacts the rear cross brace 18 of the chair frame 12, as shown in FIG. 3.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and urges his or her weight rearwardly against the back-rest 24, there is a tendency for the carrier member 34 to turn in the clockwise direction about the carrier pivot 36. Initially the carrier member 34 is maintained in a substantially stationary starting position due to the arrangement of the four-bar control linkage 38, 42, 46, and in particular the in-line arrangement of the connecting link 58 and the portion of the rear control link 42 intermediate the rear pivotal mount 44 and the pivotal connection 60. As the carrier member 34 turns through its downward arc, a downward and forward thrust is imparted via the connecting link 58 to the rear control link 42, and both the rear and front control links 38, 42 turn in the counterclockwise direction about their respective pivotal mounts 44, 40. As the integral extension 38a of the front control link 38 swings forwardly in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal mount 44), a forward thrust is imparted to the leg-rest actuating link 54 which is communicated to the leg-rest mounting linkage 32 to swing the two-part leg-rest 26 to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position as the carrier member moves into its limit position bearing against the cross brace or stop 78. Throughout this first move ment phase there is no movement of the seat 22 and back-rest 24 relative to each other since and the front guiding link 64 rests against the stop 66 on the carrier member 34. For all practical intents and purposes the seat 22 and the back-rest 24 are rigid with the carrier member 34 and turn about the carrier pivot 36.

At the end of the first movement phase when the car rier member 34 contacts the stop 78, the leg-rest 26 is elevated and appropriately oriented relative to the seat 22 and the back-rest 24 to accommodate the chair occupant in the desired intermediate, tilted sitting position, with the seat and back-rest being inclined rearwardly and in the same angular relationship relative to each other as in the upright sitting position shown in FIG. 1. Upon further pressure against the back-rest 24, the four-bar guiding linkage including the front guiding link 64, the intermediate connecting link defined by the seat intermediate the front pivotal connection 70 and the rear pivotal connection 76, and the rear guiding link defined intermediate the rear pivotal connection 76 and the stationary rear pivotal mount 74, comes into operation to guide the seat 22 and the back-rest 24 relative to each other, with an opening up or an increase in the angular relationship therebetween until further reclining movement of the back-rest 24 is precluded due to contact thereof with the rear cross brace 18 serving as a stop. Throughout the second movement phase, it will be appreciated that the carrier member 34 and the control linkage 38, 42, 46 will remain stationary. Accordingly, the pivotal connection 52 to the leg-rest actuating link 54 will remain stationary and there will be a tendency for the leg-rest actuating link 52 to turn in the clockwise direction about the stationary pivotal connection 52 as the seat 22 is inclined to maintain the desired relationship between the leg-rest 26 and the seat 22.

In order to restore the chair to the upright sitting position, the chair occupant leans forward (when in the fully reclined position shown in FIG. 3), thus causing the respective front and rear guiding links to turn about their effectively stationary pivotal mounts 68, 74 into the position illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be appreciated that the arrangement of the links is such that the carrier member 34 tends to remain in its limit position against the stop 78 until such time as the front guiding link 64 comes to rest against the stop 66. When the guiding linkage arrives at the position illustrated in FIG. 2, and the seat 22 and back-rest 24 are blocked against relative movement due to contact with the front guiding link 64 against the stop 66, continued forward pressure will cause the carrier member 34 to turn in the counterclockwise direction about the carrier pivot 36 until the linkage is restored to the starting position illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the control linkage '38, 42, 46 again supports the carrier member 34 in a relatively stationary starting position.

In FIGS. 4 through 6 inclusive there is shown a second embodiment of reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type which demonstrates further features of the present invention and is generally designated by the reference numeral 110. The chair includes a support or frame 112 having opposite side walls or frames 116 interconnected by suitable cross braces 118 and supported on the dependent legs.

A body-supporting means generally designated by the reference numeral 120 and including a seat 122 and a back-rest 124, is mounted on the support or frame 112 for movement from the upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4 through a first movement to the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 5 and then through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 5 into a fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 122 is a folded under two-part leg-rest 126 which includes parts or sections 128, 130. The leg-rest part 128 extends substantially vertically beneath the forward end of the seat in the upright sitting position of the chair and serves as a filler board in such upright sitting position, while the leg-rest part 134 is folded beneath the seat into a substantially horizontal stored position within the outline of the chair frame. As the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 5, the leg-rest parts 128, 13%) come into alignment with each other and together provide the support for maintaining the chair occupants legs in an extended and elevated attitude in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5 and throughout the second movement phase. The two-part leg-rest 126 is mounted on the seat 122 of the body-supporting means 12% by the leg-rest mounting linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 132.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a carrier member 134 which extends fore and aft of the chair frame of support 112 and is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end on the support at a carrier pivot 136 for turning movement through a downward arc during the first movement phase. A control means is pivotally connected between the support 112 and the carrier member 134 and is operative to normally maintain the carrier member in a starting position as may be seen in FIG. 4. In accordance with this illustrative embodiment, the control means includes a double-arm control lever 138 which has a pivotal mount 149 intermediate its ends on the support. The double-arm lever 13% includes a relatively long upwardly and rearwardly extending arm 138a and a relative short forwardly extending arm 13%. The arm 138a has a pivotal connection 152 at its upper end to the rearward end of actuating link 154 which has a pivotal connection 156 at its forward end to the leg-rest mounting linkage 132. In response to counterclockwise turning movement of the arm 1380 about the pivotal mount 14%, a forward thrust is imparted to the leg-rest actuating link 154 which in turn extends and elevates the two-part legrest 126. The arm 1133b is operatively connected to the carrier member 134 by a connecting link 158 which has a pivotal connection 160 to the arm 1381? forwardly of the pivotal mount 149 and a pivotal connection 162 to the carrier member 134 at a point spaced rearwardly of the carrier pivot 136 and slightly rearwardly of a vertical line drawn through the pivotal mount 140 (see FIG. 4). This will tend to maintain the double-arm or bell crank lever 138 in a stable starting position until positively actuated by the application of pressure to the back-rest 124 when the occupant desires to initiate chair operation.

Operativcly connected between the seat 122, the backrest 124 and the carrier member 134 is a guiding linkage which is operative during the first movement phase to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the seat 122 and the back-rest 124, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 4 and 5, and which is further operative during the second movement phase to open up the angle between the seat 122 and the back-rest 124, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 5 and 6. The guiding linkage includes a front guiding link 164 which is disposed substantially in the same attitude as the carrier member 134 and projects forwardly from the carrier pivot 136. The front guiding link 164 rests against an underlying stop 166 integral with the carrier member 134 and forwardly of the carrier pivot 136. In this illustrative embodiment, the front guiding link 164 is pivotally mounted on the support 112 at a front pivotal mount which is disposed coaxial with the carrier pivot 136 and is pivotally connected to the seat 122 at a front pivotal connection 170. The backrest 124 is provided with a rigid mounting bracket or link 172. The mounting bracket or link 172 pivotally mounts the back-rest 124 at the rearward end of the carrier member 134 at a rear pivotal mount 174 and pivotally connects the back-rest 124 to the seat 122 at a rear pivotal connection 176. The portion of the back-rest 124 and its mounting link 172 intermediate the pivotal mount 174 and the rear pivotal connection 176 effectively provide a rear guiding link, while the portion of the seat 122 intermediate the front pivotal connection 170 and the rear pivotal connection 176 effectively provides a connecting link between the front guiding link 164 and the rear guiding link. The front and rear guiding links and the connecting link of this four-bar guiding linkage are positioned in relation to each other and to the carrier member 134 to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as the carrier member 134 turns through the downward are about the carrier pivot 136 during the first movement phase. During the first movement phase, the seat 122 and the back-rest 124 are maintained in a rigid relationship since the efifective guiding linkage includes but three links, namely the carrier member 134 intermediate the front pivotal connection 170 and the rear pivotal mount 174, the connecting link defined intermediate the front pivotal connection 170 and the rear pivotal connection 176, and the rear guiding link defined intermediate the rear pivotal connection 176 and the rear pivotal mount 174.

A stop 178 is positioned beneath the carrier member 134 in position to engage the under surface thereof in the desired intermediate, tilted sitting position of the bodysupporting means 120. Upon blocking of the carrier member 134 against further turning movement in the clockwise direction about the carrier pivot 136 at the end of the first movement phase, the front and rear guiding links and the connecting link of the guiding linkage will move relative to each other during the second movement phase to open up the angle between the seat 122 and the back-rest 124. This may be best appreciated by progressive reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein it is seen that during the second movement phase the guiding linkage is effectively a four-bar linkage with the stationary carrier member 134 serving as a stationary link of the fourbar linkage and with the three movable links being provided respectively by the front guiding link 164, the connecting link defined intermediate the front pivotal connection 171) and the rear pivotal connection 176, and the rear guiding link defined between the rear pivotal connection 176, and the rear guiding link defined between the rear pivotal connection 176 and the rear pivotal mount 174. The fully reclined position of the chair is established when the back-rest 124 contacts the rear cross brace 118 of the chair frame 112, as shown in FIG. 6.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of this embodiment of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and urges his or her weight rearwardly against the back-rest 124 there is a tendency for the carrier member 134 to turn in the clockwise direction about the carrier pivot 136. Initially the carrier member 134 is maintained in a substantially stationary starting position due to the arrangement of the double-arm lever 138 and the connecting link 158. As the carrier member 134 turns through its downward are, a downward and forward thrust is imparted via the connecting link 1158 to the short arm 1381) of the double-arm lever 138, and the long arm 138a thereof turns in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal mount 140 which imparts a forward thrust to the legrest actuating link 154. This thrust is communicated to the leg-rest mounting linkage 132 and swings the twopart leg-rest 126 to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position as the carrier member 134 moves into its limit position bearing against the cross brace or stop 178. Throughout this first movement phase, there is no movement of the seat 122 and back-rest 124 relative to each other and the front guiding link 164 rests against the stop 16-5 on the carrier member 134. For all practical intents and purposes, the seat 122 and the back-rest 124 are rigid with the carrier member 134 and turn about the carrier pivot 136.

At the end of the first movement phase when the carrier member 134 contacts the stops 178, the leg-rest 126 is elevated and appropriately oriented relative to the seat 122 and the back-rest 124 to accommodate the chair occupant in the desired intermediate, tilted sitting position, with the seat and back-rest being inclined rearwardly and in the same angular relationship as in the upright sitting position shown in FIG. 4. Upon further pressure against the back-rest 124, the four-bar guiding linkage including the front guiding link 164, the intermediate connecting link defined by the seat intermediate the front pivotal connection and the rear pivotal connection 176, and the rear guiding link defined intermediate the rear pivotal connection 176 and the stationary rear pivotal mount 174, comes into operation to guide the seat 122 and the backrest 124 relative to each other, with an opening up or an increase in the angular relationship therebetween until further reclining movement of the back-rest 124 is preeluded due to contact thereof with the rear cross brace 118 serving as a stop. Throughout the second movement phase, it will be appreciated that the carrier member 134 and the double-arm control lever 138 will remain stationary. Accordingly, the pivotal connection 152 to the 9 leg-rest actuating link 154 will remain stationary and there Will be a tendency for the leg-rest actuating link 154 to turn in the clockwise direction about the stationary pivotal connection 152 as the seat 122 is inclined to maintain the desired relationship between the leg-rest 126 and the seat 122.

In FIGS. 7 through 9 inclusive there is shown a third embodiment of reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type which demonstrates still further features of the present invention and is generally designated by the reference numeral 210. The chair 210 includes a support or frame 212 having opposite side walls or frames 216 interconnected by suitable cross braces 218 and supported on the dependent legs.

A body-supporting means, generally designated by the reference numeral 220 including a seat 222 and a back rest 224, is mounted on the support or frame 212 for movement from the upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 7 through a first movement to the intermediate tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 8 and then through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 8 into a fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 9.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 222 is a fold under two-part leg-rest 226 which includes parts or sections 228, 230. As the body-supporting means 220 of the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 8, the leg-rest parts 228, 230 come into alignment with each other and together provide the support for maintaining the chair occupants legs in an extended and elevated attitude in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8 and throughout the second movement phase. The two-part leg-rest 226 is mounted on the seat 222 of the body-supporting means 220 by the leg-rest mounting linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 232.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a carrier member 234 which extends fore and aft of the chair frame of support 212 and is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end on the support at a carrier pivot 236 for turning movement through a downward arc during the first movement phase. A control means or linkage is pivotally connected between the support 212 and the carrier member 234 and is operative to normally maintain the carrier member in a starting position corresponding to the sitting position as may be seen in FIG. 7. In accordance with this illustrative embodiment, the control means includes a double-arm control lever 238 which has a pivotal mount 240 intermediate its ends on the support 212. The double-arm control lever includes a relatively long upwardly extending arm 238a and a relatively short rearwardly directed arm 238b. The arm 238a pivotal connection 252 at its upper end to a leg-rest actuating link 254 which has a pivotal connection 256 at its forward end to the leg-rest mounting linkage 232. In response to counterclockwise turning movement of the arm 2381: about the pivotal mount 240, a forward thrust is imparted to the leg-rest actuating link 254 which in turn extends and elevates the two-part leg-rest 226. The arm 238b is operatively connected to the carrier member 234 by a connecting link 258 which has a pivotal connection 260 for the arm 23812 rearwardly of the pivotal mount 240 and a pivotal connection 262 to the carrier member 234 at a point spaced forwardly of the carrier pivot 236 and forwardly of a vertical line drawn through the pivotal mount 240 (see FIG. 7). This will tend to maintain the control lever 238 in a stable starting position until positively actuated by the application of pressure to the back-rest 224.

Operatively connected between the seat 222, the backrest 224 and the carrier member 234 is a guiding linkage which is operative during the first movement phase to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the seat 222 and the back-rest 224, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 7 and 8, and

which is further operative during the second movement phase to open up the angle between the seat 222 and the back-rest 224, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 8 and 9. The guiding linkage includes a front guiding link 264 which is disposed substantially in the same attitude as the carrier member 234 and extends forwardly from the integral extension 234a of the carrier member 234. The front guiding link 264 rests against an underlying stops 266 integral with the extension 234a of the carrier member 234. In this illustrative embodiment, the front guiding link 264 is pivotally mounted on the extension 234a carrier member 234 at a front pivotal mount 268 which is spaced forwardly of the carrier pivot 236 and is pivotally connected to the seat 222 at a front pivotal connection 270. The backrest 224 is provided with a rigid mounting bracket or link 272. The mounting bracket or link 272 pivotally mounts the back-rest 224 at the rearward end of the carrier member 234 at a rear pivotal mount 274 and pivotally connects the back-rest 224 to the seat 222 at a rear pivotal connection 276. The portion of the back-rest 224 and its mounting link 272 intermediate the pivotal mount 274 and the rear pivotal connection 276 effectively provide a rear guiding link, while the portion of the seat 222 intermediate the front pivotal connection 270 and the rear pivotal connection 276 effectively provides a connecting link between the front guiding link 264 and the rear guiding link 272. The front and rear guiding links and the connecting link of this four-bar guiding linkage are positioned in relation to each other and to the carrier member 234 to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as the carrier member 234 turns through the downward arc about the carrier pivot 236 during the first movement phase. During the first movement phase, the seat 222 and the back-rest 224 are maintained in a rigid relationship since the effective guiding linkage includes but three links, namely the carrier member 234 intermediate the front pivotal connection 270 and the rear pivotal mount 274, the connecting link defined intermediate the front pivotal connection 270 and the rear pivotal connection 276, and the rear guiding link defined intermediate the rear pivotal connection 276 and the rear pivotal mount 274.

A stop 278 is positioned beneath the carrier member 234 in position to engage the under surface thereof in the desired intermediate, tilted sitting position of the body-supporting means 220. Upon blocking of the carrier member 234 against further turning movement in the clockwise direction about the carrier pivot 236 at the end of the first movement phase, the front and rear guiding links and the connecting link of the guiding linkage will move relative to each other during the second movement phase to open up the angle betweeen the seat 222 and the back-rest 224. This may be best appreciated by progressive reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein it is seen that during the second movement phase the guiding linkage is effectively a four-bar linkage with the stationary carrier member 2134 serving as a stationary link of the four-bar linkage and with three movable links being provided respectively by the front guiding link 264, the connecting link defined intermediate the front pivotal connection 27b and the rear pivotal connection 276, and the rear guiding link defined between the rear pivotal connection 276 and the rear pivotal mount 274. The fully reclined position of the chair is established when the back-rest 224 contacts the rear cross brace 218 of the chair frame 212, as shown in FIG. 9.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of this embodiment of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and urges his or her weight rearwardly against the back-rest 224 there is a tendency for the carrier member 234 to turn in the clockwise direction about the carrier pivot 236. Initially the carrier member 234 is maintained in a substantially stationary starting position due to the arrangement of the control lever 238 and the connecting link 25?. As the carrier member 234 turns through its downward are, the extension 23% swings upwardly and an upward and forward thrust is imparted via the connecting link 253 to the short arm 2355b of the lever 233 and the long arm 238a turns in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal mount 24th which imparts a forward thrust to the leg-rest actuating link 254. This thrust is communicated to the le -rest mounting linkage 232 to swing the two-part leg-rest 226 to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position as the carrier member 234 moves into its limit position bearing against the cross brace or top 278. Throughout this first movement phase, there is no movement of the seat 222 and backrest 224 relative to each other and the front guiding link 264- rests against the stop 266 on the extension 234a of the carrier member 234. For all practical intents and purposes, the seat 222 and the back-rest 224 are rigid with the carrier member 234 and turn about the carrier pivot 236.

At the end of the first movement phase when the carrier member 234 contacts the step 278, the leg-rest 226 is elevated and appropriately oriented relative to the seat 222 and the back-rest 224 to accommodate the chair occupant in the desired intermediate, tilted sitting position, with the seat and back-rest being inclined rearwardly and in the same angular relationship as in the upright sitting position shown in FIG. 7. Upon further pressure against the back-rest 224, the four-bar guiding linkage including the front guiding link 264, the intermediate connecting link defined by the seat intermediate the front pivotal connection 270 and the rear pivotal connection 276, and the rear guiding link defined intermediate the rear pivotal connection 276 and the stationary rear pivotal mount 274, comes into operation to guide the seat 222 and the back-rest 224 relative to each other, with an opening up or an increase in the angular relationship therebetween until further reclining movement of the back-rest 224 is precluded due to contact thereof with the rear cross brace 218 serving as a stop. Throughout the second movement phase, it will be appreciated that the carrier member 234 and the double-arm control lever 238 will remain stationary. Accordingly, the pivotal connection 252 to the leg-rest actuating link 2-54- will remain stationary and that there will be a tendency for the leg-rest actuating link 254 to turn in the clockwise direction about the stationary pivotal connection 252 as the seat 222 is inclined to maintain the desired relationship between the leg-rest 226 and the seat 222.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What I claim is:

1. A reclining chair comprising a support, a seat and a back-rest adapted to be mounted for inclining and reclining movement respectively through a first movement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted sitting position and through a second movement phase from said intermediate tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position, a carrier member extending fore and aft of said support, means pivotally mounting said carrier member adjacent its forward end on said support at a carrier pivot for turning movement through a downward arc during said first movement phase, control means pivotally connected between said support and said carrier member and operative to normally maintain said carrier member in a starting position corresponding to said sitting position, a guiding linkage operatively connected between said seat, said back-rest and said carrier member and operative during said first movement phase to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between said seat and back-rest and operative during said second movement phase to open up the angle between said seat and back-rest, said guiding linkage including 2. rom guiding link pivotally mounted on one of said support and carrier member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said seat at a front pivotal connection, means pivotally mounting said back-rest on said carrier member at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connecting said back-rest to said seat at a rear pivotal connection and providing a rear guiding link, the portion of said seat intermediate said front and rear pivotal connections providing a connecting link, said front and rear guiding links and said connecting link being positioned in relation to each other and to said carrier member to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as said carrier member turns during said first movement phase, said control means being responsive to downward pressure exerted on said carrier member and permitting said carrier member to turn through said downward are during said first movement phase, and means for blocking further turning movement of said carrier member through a further downward are when said seat and back-rest are in said intermediate tilted sitting position, said front and rear guiding links and said connecting link being movable relative to each other during said second movement phase to serve as three movable links of a four-bar linkage which is effective to open the angle between said seat and back-rest while the station ary carrier member serves as a stationary link of said four-bar linkage.

2. A reclining chair according to claim 1 wherein said front guiding link is pivotally mounted on said carrier member at a front pivotal mount spaced rearwardly of said carrier pivot.

3. A reclining chair according to claim 1 wherein said front guiding link is pivotally mounted on said support at a front pivotal mount coaxial with said carrier pivot.

4. A reclining chair according to claim 1 wherein said front guiding link is pivotally mounted on said carrier member at a front pivotal mount spaced above and forwardly of said carrier pivot.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, a seat and a back-rest adapted to be mounted for inclining and reclining movement respectively through a first movement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted sitting position and through a second movement phase from said intermediate tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position, a carrier member, means pivotally mounting said carrier member adjacent its forward end on said support at a carrier pivot for turning movement through a downward arc during said first movement phase, control means pivotally connected between said support and said carrier member and operative to normally maintain said carrier member in a starting position corresponding to said sitting position, a guiding linkage operatively connected between said seat, said back-rest and said carrier member and including a front guiding link pivotally mounted on one of said support and said carrier member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said seat at a front pivotal connection, means pivotally mounting said back-rest on said carrier member at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connecting said back-rest to said seat at a rear pivotal connection and providing a rear guiding link, the portion of said seat intermediate said front and rear pivotal connections providing a connecting link, said front and rear guiding links and said connecting link being positioned in relation to each other and to said carrier member to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as said carrier member turns during said first movement phase, said control means being responsive to downward pressure exerted on said carrier member and permitting said carrier member to turn through said downward are during said first movement phase, and a stop on said support for blocking further turning movement of said carrier member through said downward are when said seat and back-rest are in said intermediate tilted sitting position, said front and rear links and said connecting link being movable relative to each other during said second movement phase to serve as three movable links of a four-bar linkage which is effective to open the angle between said seat and back-rest while the stationary carrier member serves as a stationary link of said fourbar linkage.

6. A reclining chair according to claim wherein said control means includes a four-bar control linkage pivotally mounted on said support, and means connecting said control linkage to said carrier member at a point spaced from said carrier pivot.

7. A reclining chair according to claim 5 wherein said control means includes a control member pivotally mounted on said support at control pivotal mount, and means connecting said control member to said carrier member at a pivotal connection which is disposed rearwardly of said control pivotal mount when said carrier member is in said starting position.

8. A reclining chair according to claim 5 wherein said control means includes a control member pivotally mounted on said support at a control pivotal mount, and means connecting said control member to said carrier member at a pivotal connection which is disposed forwardly of said control pivotal mount when said carrier member is in said starting position.

9. A reclining chair comprising a support, a seat and a back-rest adapted to be mounted for inclining and reclining movement respectively through a first movement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted sitting position and through a second movement phase from said intermediate tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position, a carrier member extending fore and aft of said support, means pivotally mounting said carrier member adjacent its forward end on said support at a carrier pivot for turning movement through a downward arc during said first movement phase, control means pivotally connected between said support and said carrier member and operative to normally maintain said carrier member in a starting position corresponding to said sitting position, a guiding linkage operatively connected be tween said seat, said back-rest and said carrier member and including a front guiding link pivotally mounted on said carrier member at a first pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said seat at a front pivotal connection, means pivotally mounting said back-rest on said carrier member at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connecting said back-rest to said seat at a rear pivotal connection and providing a rear guiding link, the portion of said seat intermediate said front and rear pivotal connections providing a connecting link, said front and rear guiding links and said connecting link being positioned in relation to each other and to said carrier member to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as said carrier member turns during said first movement phase, said control means being responsive to downward pressure exerted on said carrier member and permitting said carrier member to turn through said downward arc during said first movement phase, and a stop for blocking downward arcuate movement of said carrier member when said seat and back-rest are in said intermediate tilted sitting position, said front and rear links and said connecting link being movable relative to each other being operative during said second movement phase to serve as three movable links of a four-bar linkage which is effective to open the angle between said seat and backrest while the stationary carrier member serves as a stationary link of said four-bar linkages.

10. A reclining chair according to claim 9 including a leg-rest, a leg-rest mounting linkage operativcly connected to said leg-rest and to said seat and mounting said leg-rest for movement into an elevated leg-supporting position during said first movement phase, and leg-rest actuating means operativcly connected to said leg-rest mounting linkage and to said control means for moving said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said control means during said first movement phase, said control means remaining stationary during said second movement phase and providing a relatively stationary mount for said leg-rest actuating means.

11. A reclining chair according to claim 9 wherein said control means includes a four-bar control linkage pivotally mounted on said support, and means connecting said control linkage to said carrier member at a point spaced from said carrier pivot.

12. A reclining chair according to claim 9 wherein said control means includes a control member pivotally mounted on said support at a control pivotal mount, and means connecting said control member to said carrier member at a pivotal connection which is disposed forwardly of said control pivotal mount when said carrier member is in said starting position.

13. A reclining chair comprising a support, a seat and a back-rest adapted to be mounted for inclining and reclining movement respectively through a first movement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted sitting position and through a second movement phase from said intermediate tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position, a carrier member extending fore and aft of said support, means pivotally mounting said carrier member adjacent its forward end on said support at a carrier pivot for turning movement through a downward arc during said first movement phase, control means pivotally connected between said support and said carrier member and operative to normally maintain said carrier member in a starting position corresponding to said sitting position, a guiding linkage operatively connected between said seat, said back-rest and said carrier member and including a front guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at a front pivotal mount coaxial with said carrier pivot and pivotally connected to said seat at a front pivotal connection, means pivotally mounting said back-rest on said carrier member at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connecting said back-rest to said seat at a rear pivotal connection and providing a rear guiding link, the portion of said seat intermediate said front and rear pivotal connections providing a connecting link, said front and rear guiding links and said connecting link being positioned in relation to each other and to said carrier member to remain substantially stationary relative to each other as said carrier member turns during said first movement phase, said control means being responsive to downward pressure exerted on said carrier member and permitting said carrier member to turn through said downward arc during said first movement phase, and a stop for blocking downward arcuate movement of said carrier member when said seat and back-rest are in said intermediate tilted sitting position, said front and rear guiding links and said connecting link being movable relative to each other during said second movement phase to serve as three movable links of a four-bar linkage which is effective to open the angle between said seat and back-rest while the stationary carrier member serves as a stationary link of said four-bar linkage.

14. A reclining chair according to claim 13 including a leg-rest, a leg-rest mounting linkage operativcly connected to said leg-rest and to said seat and mounting said leg-rest for movement into an elevated leg-supporting position during said first movement phase, and leg-rest actuating means operatively connected to said leg-rest mounting linkage and to said control means for moving said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said control means during said first movement phase, said control means remaining stationary during said second movement phase and providing a relatively stationary mount for said leg-rest actuating means.

15. A reclining chair according to claim 14 wherein said leg-rest actuating means includes an actuating link pivotally connected to said leg-rest mounting linkage and to said control means.

16. A reclining chair according to claim 13 wherein 5 said control means includes a control member pivotally mounted on said support at control pivotal mount, and means connecting said control member to said carrier member at a pivotal connection which is disposed rearwardly of said control pivotal mount when said carrier 10 member is in said starting position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lorenz Jan. 19, Schliephacke Apr. 12, Fletcher Dec. 20, Fletcher June 19, Fletcher July 10, Fletcher Oct. 2, Schliephacke Oct. 30, 

1. A RECLINING CHAIR COMPRISING A SUPPORT, A SEAT AND A BACK-REST ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED FOR INCLINING AND RECLINING MOVEMENT RESPECTIVELY THROUGH A FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE FROM A SITTING POSITION TO AN INTERMEDIATE TILTED SITTING POSITION AND THROUGH A SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE TILTED SITTING POSITION TO A FULLY RECLINED POSITION, A CARRIER MEMBER EXTENDING FORE AND AFT OF SAID SUPPORT, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID CARRIER MEMBER ADJACENT ITS FORWARD END ON SAID SUPPORT AT A CARRIER PIVOT FOR TURNING MOVEMENT THROUGH A DOWNWARD ARC DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE, CONTROL MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT AND SAID CARRIER MEMBER AND OPERATIVE TO NORMALLY MAINTAIN SAID CARRIER MEMBER IN A STARTING POSITION CORRESPONDING TO SAID SITTING POSITION, A GUIDING LINKAGE OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID SEAT, SAID BACK-REST AND SAID CARRIER MEMBER AND OPERATIVE DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE TO MAINTAIN A SUBSTANTIALLY FIXED ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID SEAT AND BACK-REST AND OPERATIVE DURING SAID SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE TO OPEN UP THE ANGLE BETWEEN SAID SEAT AND BACK-REST, SAID GUIDING LINKAGE INCLUDING A FRONT GUIDING LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID SUPPORT AND CARRIER MEMBER AT A FRONT PIVOTAL MOUNT AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SEAT AT A FRONT PIVOTAL CONNECTION, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID BACK-REST ON SAID CARRIER MEMBER AT A REAR PIVOTAL MOUNT AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID BACK-REST TO SAID SEAT AT A REAR PIVOTAL CONNECTION AND PROVIDING A REAR GUIDING LINK, THE PORTION OF SAID SEAT INTERMEDIATE SAID FRONT AND REAR PIVOTAL CONNECTIONS PROVIDING A CONNECTING LINK, SAID FRONT AND REAR GUIDING LINKS AND SAID CONNECTING LINK BEING POSITIONED IN RELATION TO EACH OTHER AND TO SAID CARRIER MEMBER TO REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY STATIONARY RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AS SAID CARRIER MEMBER TURNS DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE, SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO DOWNWARD PRESSURE EXERTED ON SAID CARRIER MEMBER AND PERMITTING SAID CARRIER MEMBER TO TURN THROUGH SAID DOWNWARD ARC DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE, AND MEANS FOR BLOCKING FURTHER TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIER MEMBER THROUGH A FURTHER DOWNWARD ARC WHEN SAID SEAT AND BACK-REST ARE IN SAID INTERMEDIATE TILTED SITTING POSITION, SAID FRONT AND REAR GUIDING LINKS AND SAID CONNECTING LINK BEING MOVABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER DURING SAID SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE TO SERVE AS THREE MOVABLE LINKS OF A FOUR-BAR LINKAGE WHICH IS EFFECTIVE TO OPEN THE ANGLE BETWEEN SAID SEAT AND BACK-REST WHILE THE STATIONARY CARRIER MEMBER SERVES AS A STATIONARY LINK OF SAID FOUR-BAR LINKAGE. 